Linux Journal Editors' Choice

From time to time Linux Journal will deem a product excellent, awarding it the Editors' Choice seal.

REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSIDERATION

Main Requirement
The product must serve its intended purpose flawlessly, or nearly so. This may seem like a low or needless standard, but it's not. The point here is that if it is an anti-virus program, it must catch most viruses (99% or better would be ideal). Why? That's what an anti-virus program does. It may not be the easiest program to install or set up, but if it does its intended job better than those products that are easy to install and set up but only catch 95% of viruses, then the one that catches 99% is likely to get the seal. The others cannot get the seal because they don't do their intended job well enough, no matter how easy they are to install or use.

Bonuses
Bonuses do not compensate for candidates that do not meet the above main requirement. Bonuses simply make it more likely for something that DOES meet the main requirement to get the seal. The more bonuses, the more likely the seal is appropriate:

• Bonus 1: If it is software, it is distribution agnostic. You can install it just as easily on Ubuntu as on Red Hat.
• Bonus 2: If it is software, there are 64-bit versions as well as 32-bit versions.
• Bonus 3: The price is reasonable.
• Bonus 4: It is stable.
• BONUS 5: It is scalable, perhaps makes use of multiple processors (in the case of software).
• Bonus 6: This applies to both hardware and software -- it has longevity. It can be upgraded (preferably easily) so that it does not become obsolete quickly.
• Bonus 7: If it is software, it is GPL or dual-licensed.
• Bonus 8: It has commercial support available (accountability), or good on-line support, or a good support community (forums, etc).
• Bonus 9: It has good documentation (in any form - on-line, etc.).

Watch upcoming issues of Linux Journal for Editors' Choice recipients.

If you have a product you'd like to be considered for the Editors' Choice seal or you know of a great product you'd like to recommend, please contact us.